IAN HERBERT AT OLD TRAFFORD: There were moments, as Manchester United took apart a desperately weak Fulham rearguard, when this place was transported to better, brighter days. They’d been singing the ‘10 Cantonas’ song and each of the three goals which sealed things early were in keeping with a time when they stood on the cusp of greatness.

But the crisp, clinical first-time finishes of Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku did not send electricity through the place. The goals took United sixth but they only temporarily lifted the stadium from a muffled silence.

There were many empty seats, despite the attendance figure of 74,523, and there was late-Wenger era Emirates feel about the place. There is a listlessness: an unmistakable sense that United – 16 points adrift of next week’s opponents Liverpool – are adrift and must rebuild under a new manager before they can bring the joy back.

The full time whistle goes and Manchester United have their three points after a much-improved performance.

Goals from Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford saw Mourinho's side climb up to sixth in the Premier League table.

Fulham pulled a goal back through a Aboubakar Kamara penalty but just moments later Franck Zambo Anguissa was sent off as the Cottagers fell to another heavy defeat away from home.

16:49

90 minutes

There will be three minutes added on here.

16:45

86 minutes

Phil Jones is totally unaware of Ryan Sessegnon around him as he tries to deal with an aerial ball. The winger nips in ahead of him but misses the target with his shot.

16:42

83 minutes: SUB - Rashford off, McTominay on

Great final moment for Rashford before he is taken off for McTominay to add some steel to the midfield for the last 10 minutes.

16:40

82 minutes: GOAL! 4-1 Fulham - Rashford

United finally have the fourth goal they have deserved and it's a beauty from Rashford.

There looks to be nothing on for the striker so he just smashes the ball towards the near post and Rico is beaten by the power.

The former Sevilla man should do better there and he's left punching the ground in frustration.

16:39

80 minutes

Herrera wins the ball on the edge of the box with a great sliding tackle.

It comes to Rashford who sells a defender with a dummy, shifts it onto his right foot but then shoots straight at the goalkeeper.

16:31

72 minutes: SUB - Schurrle off, Cisse on

Schurrle has been particularly wasteful this half and is replaced by Cisse.

16:31

72 minutes: SUB - Lingard off, Fred on

Fred, who Jose Mourinho said he couldn't use in midfield until the defence was stronger earlier this week, is on for the last 20 minutes or so in place of Lingard.

16:26

68 minutes

Red card for Fulham midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa as he collects a second yellow card of the game for a challenge on Rashford. There didn't look to be too much wrong with that but perhaps the referee felt the challenge was slightly higher than acceptable.

16:25

67 minutes: GOAL! 3-1 Fulham - Kamara

Kamara scores his second goal in as many matches as he sends De Gea the wrong way and plants his spot kick into the bottom right corner.

16:24

66 minutes

Penalty Fulham!

Herrera is adjudged to have taken down Kamara and Lee Probert has pointed to the spot. Replays show he may have taken the ball just before the contact.

16:20

61 minutes

Another good chance missed by Schurrle.

He manages to get a shot away from the left side that runs across the face of the goal and away for a corner after taking a deflection.

The set piece is easily dealt with though.

16:18

59 minutes

It really should be 4-0.

Mata breaks free in the box and lays the ball back to the onrushing Herrera. It looked simple to score but he manages to drag his effort wide of the far post.

16:17

58 minutes: SUB - Smalling off, Rojo on

The change is made as the Argentine Rojo continues his return to first team action after a spell out injured.

16:16

57 minutes

Looks like United are going to be forced into a change here with Chris Smalling struggling to move.

Schurrle has a glorious chance to claw a goal back when the ball breaks to him on the edge but the German misses the target completely.

16:13

55 minutes

Fulham are growing into this second half. Schurrle tries to break through on goal but is marshaled out for a corner that United manage to clear.

Definitely the visitors' best spell of possession so far this afternoon though.

16:07

48 minutes

The second half has picked up where the first left off with United on the front foot.

It's been quite some time since United have played with so much impetus and freedom.

16:05

46 mins: SUB - Mitrovic off, Kamara on

Ranieri has made a half-time change with the Serbian striker coming off. Perhaps he is conceding this game is already lost and saving him for the coming weeks?

The half time whistle goes on what has been an impressive 45 minutes from Manchester United.

Goals from Young, Mata and Lukaku have given Mourinho's team a comfortable lead that Fulham look unable to come back from.

15:42

42 minutes: GOAL! 3-0 Manchester United - Lukaku

Game over.

There is a different feeling around Old Trafford today and what a performance from the Red Devils so far this afternoon.

Mata and Lingard play a tidy one-two from a corner. The Spaniard gets to the byline, crosses for Lukaku and the Belgian makes no mistake and taps into an empty net.

15:39

37 minutes

Great strike from Rashford who opts to smash a free-kick from around 30 yards on goal.

His effort is flying towards the top corner but Rico is level to it and palms it away for a corner that is cleared at the near post.

15:34

32 minutes

Fulham are really struggling to create anything here.

Joe Bryan goes down the left and sees his cross ricochet back off himself and out for a goal kick. That sums up the visitors' performance so far.

15:29

29 minutes: GOAL! 2-0 Manchester United - Mata

United have been very good in this opening 30 minutes or so and have another reward.

Rashford runs from deep down the left and is picked out well by Lukaku. The youngster pulls the ball back to the edge of the box where Mata runs onto it and strokes an effort into the bottom corner.

15:23

39 - Ashley Young has ended a run of 39 games in all competitions without a goal for Manchester United, since netting twice versus Watford in November 2017 – 375 days ago. Overdue. pic.twitter.com/ng1m159w15

Young continues to drive forward down the right. A cross from the right comes all the way over to the left and again he shoots.

His effort is saved this team but certainly the Fulham right side is vulnerable.

15:19

17 minutes

This has been a good start from United and they are playing some of the most fluid football of the season.

Young again tries his effort from a similar position but it is deflected away from a corner. The set piece is worked back to Dalot and he picks out Smalling but the defender's header is against re-directed for a corner.

15:13

12 minutes: GOAL! 1-0 Manchester United - Young

A stunning effort from Ashley Young has given Manchester United the lead. The England man beats one player on the left side, cuts back onto his right foot and unleashes a fierce effort into the far corner.

Brilliant from Young.

15:11

10 mins

Change to the Manchester United bench.

Andreas Pereira has replaced Luke Shaw after he reportedly got injured in the warm-up.

Fulham have won a corner.

15:09

8 minutes

A good pass sends Dalot down the right hand side. The full-back picks out a delicious cross into the box that Fulham manage to clear.

15:06

5 minutes

Murmurs of discontent already inside the stadium as Chris Smalling turns and passes back to a defender rather than drive forward.

15:04

2 minutes

Very little to report so far with neither side able to get on the ball and impose their game plan. The flow of the game has been interrupted by referee Lee Probert. Awful conditions in Manchester this afternoon.

15:01

KICK OFF

We are underway at Old Trafford and Manchester United are attacking the Stretford End in the first half.

Stick with us for all the latest updates.

14:50

10 minutes to go

Almost kick-off time at Old Trafford as the players complete their warm-ups and head back down the tunnel.

Reminder of some team news now.

Paul Pogba remains on the bench as Jose Mourinho recalls Romelu Lukaku to the starting line-up. The United boss has made four changes from Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal, with Lukaku joined in the starting line-up by Phil Jones, Juan Mata and Ashley Young.

Ryan Sessegnon will make his 100th appearance for a Fulham side to which Claudio Ranieri has made five alterations.

14:31

Scene is set at Old Trafford

14:22

United can climb to sixth

The final whistle has just gone in today's early kick-off and Liverpool have ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Bournemouth.

That result ensures United, who started the day in eighth place, can climb above the Cherries and Everton into sixth with just a point today.

Everton do not play until Monday night when they welcome Watford to Goodison Park.

14:11

Business off the pitch too?

SAM MCEVOY: Fulham are interested in bringing Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian to Craven Cottage as the Italian continues to be overlooked by Mourinho.

Ranieri is keen to bring his fellow countryman to the club in January as he looks to shore up the Cottagers' leaky defence.

However, Darmian, who is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, would prefer a move back to Italy, according to reports.

Good afternoon and welcome to Sportsmail’s live coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are desperate for three points and come into the game after drawing each of their last three matches. They have lost ground on the top four and pressure continues to mount on manager Jose Mourinho.

Fulham, meanwhile, have taken four points from Claudio Ranieri’s first three games in charge as they look to climb up the table.

Stick with us for all the action with team news expected in around about 30 minutes and kick-off at 3pm.